HAY RIVER LOOKS TO BAN DRUG TRINKETS

HAY RIVER - The Town of Hay River is considering seeking a legal
opinion on whether it can ban roadside vendors selling drug-related
paraphernalia.

Mayor Kelly Schofield suggested the town look into whether it can
legally pass such a bylaw.

At the Feb. 8 meeting of council, Schofield explained he wanted to
stop the sale of marijuana flags, knives and various drug tools, such
as pipes and roach clips.

"We need to try to protect our kids," he said.

Schofield's idea got support from council.

"I think it would be a laudable effort," said Coun. Ken
Latour.

However, the councillor noted people in cities haven't been able to
abolish so-called head shops.

"I think it would be tricky," Latour said.

Council will vote on a motion to seek a legal opinion at its next
meeting on Feb. 22.

Schofield, who has been quite open about his own past drug use, said
he was attracted to such roadside sales as a young person, and he
believes the items promote drug use and violence.

However, he recognizes it may be a hard to ban the sale of items which
by themselves are not illegal.

"I know it's going to be a difficult thing to do," he said. "But I
think it's worth trying."

Schofield said each year, two or three vendors visit Hay River to sell
their "immoral" wares in parking lots and on the sides of roadways.

The mayor said he is not trying to stop roadside stalls selling things
like clothes and fruit.

Travelling salespeople need a business licence to operate in Hay
River.

However, the business licence bylaw does not regulate the types of
businesses or the merchandise they can sell.